How to Take Care of an Indoor Basil Plant

By Joshua Duvauchelle; Updated September 21, 2017

Fresh basil is often deemed more pungent and flavorful than dried basil, and can add an exotic bite to your favorite recipe. Indoor herb gardening is perfect for those who don't have a yard or who want to grow herbs year-round, even when the outdoor weather won't permit. A basil plant can be started and grown successfully indoors with standard garden equipment available at most garden stores.

Fill a standard 6-inch pot with a soil-less potting mix intended for houseplant usage, available from all nurseries and garden stores. Such mixes have excellent drainage, ideal for pots where collecting water can cause root rot in herbs.

Plant the basil plant. If using seeds, bury one per pot 1/2 inch under the soil surface and keep moist with twice-daily waterings. The seeds will typically germinate within 14 days. If using a pre-started basil plant from a nursery, slip the plant out of its existing pot and bury it in your pot's soil-less mix. If growing a plant from a cutting, cut a 4-inch branch off an existing basil plant and place it in a cup of water until roots grow from the cut end. Insert the cutting into your soil-less potting mix.

Provide the basil plant with light. Basil requires full sunshine for optimum growth. Place the pot near a window that receives direct sunlight. Alternatively, use fluorescent grow lights obtained from a garden store or nursery. Keep the lights on for 16 hours per day and suspended 2 to 3 inches from the top of the basil plant, adjusting as the plant grows.

Water the basil plant. Basil plants thrive on lots of moisture but need time for their roots to dry. Water once the potting mix turns flaky or crumbly rather than moist and compact. Depending on your interior humidity levels, you may find yourself watering once every two days.

Feed the basil plant. Use a standard liquid vegetable fertilizer with a nutrient ratio of 10-10-10. Apply according to the fertilizer's label, as specific strengths vary by product. Fertilizer helps ensure proper foliage production, which is critical for a foliar herb like basil.

Things You Will Need

Plant pot

Soil-less potting mix

Basil seeds, basil start or basil cutting

Grow lights (optional)

Liquid fertilizer

Tip

A dark-colored plastic pot is an ideal potting material as it helps retain moisture and block light from the herb plant's roots. On the other hand, clay or ceramic pots may look more attractive in your home, though they are also heavier and prone to breakage if dropped or hit.

Resources

About the Author

Joshua Duvauchelle is a certified personal trainer and health journalist, relationships expert and gardening specialist. His articles and advice have appeared in dozens of magazines, including exercise workouts in Shape, relationship guides for Alive and lifestyle tips for Lifehacker. In his spare time, he enjoys yoga and urban patio gardening.